Free dental care this Friday to kick off Children’s Dental Health Month

To kick off the National Children’s Dental Health Month, the Camden County College (CCC) will be participating in “Give Kids A Smile” Day on February 1st from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It is a statewide public health project that unites the entire dental community by providing a day of preventive dental care and education to thousands of underprivileged children who would not be able to afford or access care. It is open to children 12 years of age and under.

The event will be held on CCC’s Blackwood Campus in the Copperthwaite Dental Hygiene Clinic, which is located on the second floor of Taft Hall.

“It’s a wonderful thing, you can bring your child here and have a whole dental checkup for nothing and it would normally be about $120,” said Jean Corbi, CCC’s event co-coordinator.

During the kid-friendly dental health fair, the CCC will offer free teeth cleaning, x-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants and some restorative services.

It will include a special appearance by the Tooth Fairy, giveaways and an activity room that will engage the children while they are waiting to be seen by the college’s dental hygiene students who will be supervised by Dr. Catherine Boos, a licensed dentist and the director of the dental program.

Patients will also learn how to properly brush their teeth and be given free toothbrushes and tooth paste.

Corbi said the college has been able to serve at least 80 children during the annual event since beginning its participation 10 years ago.

“We would love to see a flood of children that day because we know that there is a definite need” said Corbi.

Services will be provided by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call (856) 227-7200 ext. 4631 or 4729. Parents are instructed to go to the New Jersey Dental Association’s website to download the necessary forms to participate.